Los desafíos político-legales en materia de protección de los derechos de aguas de las comunidades indígena-campesinas en los países andinos

Abstract

In the Andean region of Latin America, "water cultures” and "local hydraulic identities” play a key role in the challenge to work towards integrated management of water resources. A special Forum Session was organized in the Second World Water Forum in The Hague, 2000, in order to analyze the theme of "Water and Indigenous Peoples”. The session concluded that there is an urgent need to correct the imbalance of mainstream thinking by actively integrating indigenous women and men in subsequent phases, starting with the framework for action. The aim of this conceptual document is to contribute to a better comprehension of indigenous water rights in the south Andean region, to raise awareness among the decision-makers regarding the need for legal and policy changes and, finally, to contribute to a better recognition of indigenous rights and water management rules in national legislation.